'I was here' is our attempt at showcasing food cultures across different cities. Every city has its own history that more or less influences the kind of cuisine that dominates the eateries and also the taste-buds of its people. The aim is to backpack each city, find local places to eat and speak to locals about the culture that brings out the best in each city.

Season One

Check out episodes from our premier season as we explore local food and culture from Pune, Goa, Hyderabad and Kochi.

For our season finale episode we travel to Kochi, a place where the scenery is constantly changing and where putting a boundary is almost impossible. Seamlessly blending from the Portuguese architecture of Fort Kochi to the Shipyard of Ernakulam and from the untouched beaches of Vypin to the back waters of Edakochi. The food culture is equally diverse where you will come across Dutch Bruder to Syrian Catholic styles of Appams and from rustic Kerala Cuisine served in Toddy Shop to the street style favourites like Kothu Parotta and Beef Fry.

In this first video of the two part 'Hyderabad' series, we indulge in the quintessential food from this city- Biryani, Nihari, Mandi, Sheermaal, Osmania Biscuits and Irani Chai. Assad meets well-known actress – Elahe Hiptoola, who along with Ashhar Farhan, Humera Ahmed, Biju Matthews and Manager-Subba Reddy run this city's well-known cultural space 'Lamakaan' in Banjara Hills. Masab Tank, which is a hub where the old and new cross path, is also where we discover Hyderabad's oldest antiquities & collectables shop - Mughal Arts.

Tucked away from all of Hyderabad's glamour and archaeological greatness are areas where some of the best food can be unearthed. In the second part of the Hyderabad series, we travel to Barkas and Kukatpally for their regional speciality food and also find some juicy meaty burgers at Madhapur and Afghani fare at Ladkikapul.

This time the 'I Was Here' crew travels to Goa-the land of red soil, white sand and sussegado beings. A 365 days tourist hot-spot, Goa in the past half a decade has transformed into a multi-cultural hub that has adjusted itself to accommodate the newer unduly and ever so demanding domestic and international visiting crowd. We meet a few locals from different parts of Goa who voice their opinion about this change in the landscape of food, culture and behavior

In this premier episode of #IWasHere Assad takes us on a trip down memory lane to some of the places from this satellite city that he frequented back in his childhood days. Salli Ghosh at Dorabjee, Irani Chai & Bun Maska at Cafe Yezdan and Husseny Bakery on Taboot Street that bakes some flawless 'Brun Pav'. He also stumbles upon a legendary ice-cream institution that serves a unique tall cold milky concoction called 'Mastani'.

Episode Two starts off from the ever popular and rustic 'Vohuman Cafe' and then shifts to the suburban area of Aundh where Assad experiences traditional Vietnamese cuisine at 'Smiley House' curated by two sisters in a garage sized quirky eatery. We then drive across to the other end of the city at NIBM and meet Amir Reza Sadeghian who runs a quick bite Iranian Shawarma establishment. If you're curious to know how Craft Beers are made, then the last segment at Flambos Brewpub is a treat for you.

In the final episode, We travel to Viman Nagar to enjoy some original and yummy Keralite Paratha's and Appam's at Malabar Chopsticks, meet 'Meeta Makhecha' the owner of Kalyani Nagar's famous European eatery 'The Flour Works' and finally make one last stop at this year's Times Food Award winner 'The Asian Box' in Koregaon Park for the delightful South East Asian fare and specifically their Burmese Khao Suey.

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Vietnam

This four episode special presentation of 'I Was Here' will feature stories from Bangkok, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh.

Remember when we went around India eating to live all that goodness?This is just like that - except its Bangkok and Hanoi and Ha Long Bay and Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh (& Awesome)!

Episode 01:

All you ever wanted to know about where to eat in Bangkok? It's all right here. From eating Pad Thai at Thipsamai to shopping at Asia's largest open market to unwinding at Lumphini.

Episode 02:

Hanoi and Halong Bay are the first two stops in our journey through north to south of Vietnam. Hanoi's old world charm mixed with the upcoming modern world makeover makes it a unique place in all of southeast Asia. This is one city that serves some of the most interesting local food and drinks like the famous Egg Coffee that was developed by the Giangs and the French baguette influenced Vietnamese sandwich 'Banh Mi'. This and a lots more in this new episode.